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Monday, November 07, 2011

I Have Decided To Use My Power For Good (But Just This Once)

As you may recall, last year I was pleased to bring you news of Joan's Legacy: Uniting Against Lung Cancer and its annual benefit. This worthy cause was founded to honor the life of Joan Scarangello, a writer at NBC News, who fell victim to lung cancer in 2001 despite never having smoked in her 47 years. In 2010 Brian Williams donated an auction lot of six autographed ties--the reason I got involved--and they ended up selling for about $5000.

(That's a lot of money for ties, especially for the Hermes with the penguins on it. And to think I described it as a faux paisley print--11 February 2010...sigh. Pre-HD, though.)

But it's nowhere near what is needed to combat the Number 1 Killer Cancer in the United States. This scourge is the world's deadliest cancer; an estimated 157,000 Americans are estimated to die from lung cancer this year - more than colon, breast, and pancreatic cancers combined.

More than 220,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, but only 16% of lung cancer is being diagnosed at its earliest and most curable stage. Like Joan, sadly, many of its victims are misdiagnosed and the cancer is too far advanced to effect a cure.

That's why aggressive research and awareness are so desperately necessary.

To that end, Joan's Legacy: Uniting Against Lung Cancer announces its Strolling Supper with Blues and News, hosted by Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw. Another silent auction will be held and, while there will be no ties, the slate of offerings is impressive. Along with a set visit and seat in the Director's chair at The NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, it includes:

*Hanging out on-set at The Big Bang Theory, The Daily Show, and The Colbert Report*Autographed memorabilia from Lady Gaga and Santonio Holmes*Vacations at Costa Rica, Cancun, and Cape Cod*Vespa scooter in your choice of color*Designer wares by Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Betsey Johnson*A Longer Shelf Life: Your name as a character in a future Sue Grafton novelAND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

This year, there is also online bidding--it begins November 9th. Click here to go and see all the items and reserve prices. That way, you don't have to go to New York; you can just sit at home in your tasteful jammies, pour a glass of Chardonnay, and use your mouse and your credit card to get some early You-Know-What shopping done. (You didn't hear That Word from me. Not here, not now.) And then you can bask in the toasty glow of Altruism. Helped along by the Chard, but whatever.
The Dept. is honored and proud to use its powers on the Interwebs for the Greater Good, even in this small, small way. For even more information, and a chance for a little bit more of BriWi--you'll recognize the tie, an old favourite of his--you can watch this short viddy:

Thank you. And, for your handy-dandy convenience, use the clicky graphic at the top of my sidebar anytime to jaunt directly to the Joan's Legacy auction site. With your help, Joan's Legacy can be a cure.

Mage--You're welcome. I know that lots of people have other charities and there are lots of cancers that affect families. I lost a dear, dear friend to breast cancer this summer, but breast cancer awareness is very high, and it is well-funded. Lung cancer is consistently associated with smoking, and that alone makes it sort of an ugly stepchild of cancer funding. I was unaware of its virulent and aggressive nature, and that its death rate was so high. And when a fan of The Tie Report with a connection to Brian Williams reached out, I couldn't say no. Not when it was such a simple and right thing to do. My sympathies for your losses and for the sorrows of you and your friend. I remain hopeful that with outreach like Joan's Legacy and other Uniting charities, the reign of lung cancer will come to an end soon.

Mikey G--Awesome stuff, right? Wouldn't a Vespa be neat? Or Mikey G. as a character in a novel be cool? Oh, well.

Stephen Colbert Is Our Hero

Click the pic to listen to the only man who is brave enough to say what needed to be said.

Somebody Had To...

It Might Just Be The Booze Talking

Who is petitioning the governor of Louisiana to "do the right thing: Replace the Confederate statues with an actual hero and influencial (sic) human being, Britney Spears" !? Clink the glass only if you have a full one of your own.